fallout
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fallout
Radioactive fallout, meaning the spread of radioactive particles in the atmosphere and on the Earth's surface after a nuclear explosion or a reactor accident.
Der radioaktive Fallout kontaminierte nach dem Unfall weite Landstriche.
The radioactive fallout contaminated large stretches of land after the accident.
'Fallout' is a direct loanword from English and is pronounced the same way. In German, it has the article 'der'.
Der Fallout des Vulkanausbruchs beeinträchtigte den weltweiten Flugverkehr.
The fallout from the volcanic eruption affected global air traffic.
The literal, radioactive meaning can be recognized from words like 'nuklear' (nuclear) or 'Reaktorunfall' (reactor accident). The figurative meaning is often used with adjectives like 'politisch' (political) or 'wirtschaftlich' (economic).
Der radioaktive Fallout ist auch Jahre nach der Katastrophe noch messbar.
The radioactive fallout is still measurable years after the disaster.
In the figurative meaning, 'Fallout' is often combined with an adjective that describes the affected area, e.g. 'der politische Fallout' (the political fallout), 'der wirtschaftliche Fallout' (the economic fallout), or 'der soziale Fallout' (the social fallout).
Niemand hatte den enormen wirtschaftlichen Fallout der Krise vorhergesehen.
No one had foreseen the enormous economic fallout from the crisis.
The figurative meaning of 'Fallout' is especially common in the news and in journalism to describe the negative aftereffects of an event.
Die Zeitung berichtete ausführlich über den Fallout der Affäre.
The newspaper reported in detail on the fallout from the affair.
consequence / episode
'die Folge' and 'der Fallout' can both talk about what happens after an event. 'Die Folge' is neutral and very general: it can be positive, negative, big, or small. 'Der Fallout' in the figurative sense almost always means negative aftereffects, often after a scandal, dispute, or difficult decision. Learners may confuse the words because both can mean 'consequences'. In everyday language, 'Folge' is usually more natural. 'Fallout' sounds more specific and fits especially when the negative effects are the focus.
Nach dem Skandal versucht die Firma, den Fallout in den Medien zu begrenzen.
After the scandal, the company is trying to limit the fallout in the media.
Wegen des starken Regens war eine Folge, dass viele Züge später kamen.
Because of the heavy rain, one consequence was that many trains arrived later.